Chapter 226: Chapter 224: Team Coordination

Jiang Jichen was the first to charge out, bare-handed. He activated his physical strength, rushing forward like a Barbaric Dragon with astonishing momentum.

Yee Youmeng dragged her large machete, taking mysterious steps as she silently closed in.

A Purple Whip suddenly appeared in Hua Xiaoling’s hand. With a gentle flick, it created purple lightning in the void—clearly a powerful Killing Artifact.

Tang Ni was slightly weaker in combat, but she followed behind Jiang Jichen, ready to strike at any moment.

Although they hadn’t exchanged a word and it was their first time fighting together, in the eyes of the ten Cultivators, Jiang Jichen’s group displayed a seamless and perfect rapport.

In contrast, they were a mix of Loose Cultivators, members of Noble Families, and Sects from the various nations of the Southern Continent. Achieving such coordination would be difficult.

Therefore, at this moment, even though their Cultivation was far superior to the four, a sense of foreboding grew in their hearts.

They were afraid before the fight even began. Full of reservations, they couldn’t fight without holding back. Both their individual and team strength were greatly diminished.

"Everyone, we should let loose and cooperate sincerely! This gamble might just win us our own future! What’s more, killing Jiang Jichen is a heaven-defying merit. When you return, you’ll surely become the foremost Young Clan Leaders and Young Sect Leaders. Even us Loose Cultivators will surely gain immense prestige!"

A slightly older Independent Cultivator suddenly spoke up.

"That’s right, they’re just a few Junior Cultivators at the Innate Realm. Without his Holy Sword, Jiang Jichen is like a toothless tiger. Nothing to fear. Kill!"

"They’ve come looking for a fight. How can we back down?"

"This brat is too arrogant! He has insulted our Noble Families and Sects. He deserves to die!"

...

Spurred on by the older Independent Cultivator, these Cultivators finally steadied their resolve to kill Jiang Jichen.

Besides, Jiang Jichen and his group had taken the initiative to attack. That was a blatant show of disrespect, and it had thoroughly enraged them.

In truth, what they felt more was humiliation. The other party was just a few Junior Cultivators at the Innate Realm, yet they... had dared to attack them first. What did they take them for?

Facing these ten Cultivators—all of whom were above the Foundation Establishment Middle Realm and were outstanding Transcenders—Jiang Jichen hadn’t wanted to fight them either.

Because even if he won, it would undoubtedly be a pyrrhic victory.

But he had his reasons for taking the initiative.

First, the enemy was blocking the path forward. If he didn’t kill them, he wouldn’t be able to cross the iron chain and set foot on the Great Floating Island.

Second, the situations ahead would inevitably become more dangerous, and the enemies they encountered would be increasingly powerful. Jiang Jichen wanted to use this battle to hone their rapport in fighting side-by-side and coordinating with one another.

Yee Youmeng was one thing; with her astonishing innate combat awareness, her coordination with Jiang Jichen had already reached a level of breathtaking, seamless perfection.

But Hua Xiaoling and Tang Ni still needed to be polished a bit through combat so that they could fully merge into a single, cohesive unit.

In fact, before attacking, Jiang Jichen had secretly sent a transmission to Hua Xiaoling and Tang Ni, teaching them a mysterious combat Step Technique that they could use to coordinate in team battles.

This battle was meant for practical combat experience.

Soon, the two sides clashed in close combat. Jiang Jichen used his body as a weapon, clearing a path with his fists!

"A body like iron to topple mountains!" 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

"Fists like meteors to shatter the firmament!"

Just like that, Jiang Jichen slammed straight into the group of ten Cultivators.

At this moment, his defenses were fully activated. He was first wrapped in a layer of Blood Cloth, then he condensed a Nine-layered Golden Spiritual Pattern Space with his mysterious Ancient Spiritual Power, and the Undying Power had already spread throughout his entire body!

Jiang Jichen had practically armed his defenses to the teeth, like he was hiding in a tortoise shell.

The Blood Cloth had been seized from the strange man. Jiang Jichen discovered it was used in the same way as the Blood-Saturated Old Cloth in Qingya’s hands. Although its mysterious properties were far inferior to the Blood-Saturated Old Cloth, when transformed into a Blood-Red Battle Armor and draped over his body, it became an extraordinary piece of Defensive Battle Armor.

After all, the strange man had previously blocked an attack from his Light of the Holy Sword by activating the Blood Cloth’s defense, which showed just how astonishing its Defense Power was.

On the surface, the enemy far surpassed Jiang Jichen’s group in both numbers and Cultivation Realm.

But in terms of sheer presence, they were completely crushed by Jiang Jichen, this rampaging Barbaric Dragon.

Ten Mid-stage Foundation Establishment Realm Cultivators—how powerful was that? Their attacks could obliterate mountains and sink the very earth.

But now, as their attacks landed on Jiang Jichen, they actually... couldn’t break through his defense!

Daoist Spiritual Light, sharp Sword Qi, stunning Blade Auras, Magical Treasure Technique Shadows... all of it rained down on Jiang Jichen.

This was, of course, because Jiang Jichen was charging headfirst toward them, and they had no reason to let him get close.

They were well aware of how frighteningly powerful Jiang Jichen’s physical body was, so he alone drew the attacks of all ten Cultivators.

Yet such a massive and terrifying barrage of attacks only managed to shatter the Nine-layered Golden Spiritual Pattern Space; the Blood-Red Battle Armor was completely unscathed.

However, the powerful shockwaves sent Jiang Jichen reeling, causing him to spit up blood continuously. He had instantly suffered significant internal injuries.

Beyond that, the recent round of attacks had achieved nothing else!

"This... how can one person’s defense be this strong?"

The ten Cultivators were dumbfounded, their composure shattered, unable to believe their eyes.

But in that brief instant, Yee Youmeng had already closed in on them silently, hefting her large machete. Treading with mysterious steps, she launched a surprise attack on the nearest Foundation Establishment Middle Stage Cultivator.

But even though he was the closest, there was still some distance between them; he wasn’t completely within Yee Youmeng’s attack range.

Yet Yee Youmeng still raised her large machete and slashed out.

Normally, this slash would have only cut through empty air.

But at that moment, Hua Xiaoling arrived as well. The Purple Whip in her hand lashed out like a Spirit Serpent emerging from its cave, coiling directly toward the nearest Foundation Establishment Middle Stage Cultivator.

Her Purple Whip could lengthen or shorten; its uses were endless. It easily crossed a distance of nearly twenty meters. Before the Mid-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator could even react, his body was ensnared by the Purple Whip. Then, Hua Xiaoling gave a gentle tug.

That Mid-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator had no idea what was happening as his body was involuntarily yanked into the air, flying right into the path of the blade aura from Yee Youmeng’s slash.

"AHH... NO!"

By the time he suddenly realized what was happening, this Foundation Establishment Middle Stage Cultivator was already scared out of his wits, his Divine Soul nearly scattering as he screamed in terror.

But it was too late!

PFFT!

A flash of blood-red light flickered, and a large head flew into the air.

Yee Youmeng retrieved her blade and moved on, charging toward another Foundation Establishment Middle Stage Cultivator, ferocious to the extreme.

Hua Xiaoling followed close behind her, her Purple Whip coiling as she continued to coordinate her attacks. Her performance was slick!

Only then did the remaining nine Cultivators snap back to their senses, but... it seemed it was already too late. Their defeat was sealed.

’Is this a team of Innate Realm Cultivators? Why are they so strong?’

The remaining Cultivators were shaken to the core, and this thought couldn’t help but surface in their minds.